The New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate - page 2

29-10-2008 11:21

The long sleek lines extend across the length of the car and down into the all-important 1500 litres of luggage area that happens to be the largest in this segment. That is when the rear seats are down. For the family purpose 485 litres is available without dangerously piling the suitcases to the roofline therefore blocking all visibility to the rear. The C-Class estate comes with an Easy Pack automatic powered tailgate, which opens and closes at the push of a button and takes all the weight out of loading up the car. Any surplus luggage use the roof rails.

The spacious interior should keep in-car fighting at bay from the children that is with the added benefit of copious storage binnacles to put all their precious toys in. Parents – invest in the satellite navigation system to keep your arguments minimal. Failing that, plenty of CD’s or the MP3 player for the CD/radio with Bluetooth connectivity. The host of luxury on board toys is better than Hamleys. Ensuring no discrimination against any size driver is an electrically height adjustable with memory drivers seat plus lumber support coupled with height adjustable twelve button multi function steering wheel. Take some time to work out what button does what before embarking on your journey. Then there is automatic climate control, auto dimming rear view mirrors, electric windows with obstruction sensors, automatic headlamp activation, and rain sensing wipers to take some of the strain out of driving.

Drive wise; this is where Mercedes- Benz excels. As soon as you accelerate off towards the coast, you know you are driving a car packed with technology giving a take off better than a leer jet. The 2148 cc litre diesel engine whizzes to 62 mph in just 8.5 seconds with the six speed manual transmission fitted to my car. Top speed is 130 mph yet fuel consumption a healthy 46.3-mpg on a combined cycle. Of course driving abroad the diesel is far cheaper meaning you could actually afford to venture further afield. CO2 emissions check in at 159k/gm and this model falls into insurance group 14E.

Then you have the icing on the cake. Mercedes– Benz never ending list of exemplary safety features ensuring you all arrive home safely. The new bodyshell sees a 12 per cent increase in torsional stiffness, has four independently acting impact levels that enables forces to be distributed over a wide area and special struts in the wheel arches that prevents the passenger cell from dropping during a collision. Then there are deformation zones under the bonnet, multiple restraint systems including Neck-Pro head restraints that move upwards and forwards to cushion the heads of the front passengers while the two outer seats come with ISOFIX mountings. Airbags come in the shape of driver, passenger, side front, window and drivers knee with the optional side airbags in the rear.

Not hat this should be needed as the C-Class is fitted as standard with ABS, Brake Assist, ESP and Skid Control. However if an accident is imminent you can always rely on Pre-Safe that prepares the vehicle and occupants for a collision. If it detects emergency or panic braking, Pre-Safe will tighten the seatbelts, adjust the front passenger seat, corrects the backrest and seatbelts thus reducing the loads exerted on the passengers upon impact. Securing the C-Class is an alarm with immobiliser, deadlocks plus remote central locking.

So now we can all travel in style. That will annoy our overseas neighbours.

Happy Holidays

Jackie Violet – Female First